November 22, 2004

Warlord gunmen in  Mogadishu fought a battle over turf control, leaving at least three dead and many more wounded. Each of the warlords has established a territory, which they patrol and extort "protection" money from local organizations (including foreign aid groups.) Sometimes one warlord will try to grab some additional territory from another. Despite the lack of a government, the warlords have worked out who controls what, and battles are relatively rare.